THREATS OF GENDER APARTHEID IN NIGERIA
KATHLEEN OKAFOR argues that while women have made strides in education, entrepreneurship, and activism, systemic barriers continue to hinder their full participation in other areas
Women inclusion and empowerment are critical indicators of a nation’s development, essentially mirrors the nation’s commitment to equity, justice, and sustainable progress. Nigeria, as a country, is rich in cultural diversity, economic and humongous national resources. Expectedly, the status of women has evolved through complex historical, political, and socio-economic dynamics.
Despite constitutional guarantees and international commitments, Nigerian women continue to face systemic barriers to reasonable participation in governance, economic activities, and social leadership. The rule of law is usually affected by the rule of man which is the current bedrock of politics and generates ethno-reigious confllicts.
The adoption of the 1999 Constitution guarantees multidimensional equality in all facets of endeavour. However, several provisions remain gender-biased. For instance, Section 26(2)(a) of the constitution allows a Nigerian man to confer citizenship on a foreign wife, but denies the same right to Nigerian women. S55 (1)(D) of the Penal Code allows a man to physically discipline his wife, etc. Yet, over the years, Nigeria has ratified international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Union’s Protocol on Women’s Rights.
The National Gender Policy (NGP) was first introduced in 2006 and revised in 2021. The aim was to promote gender equality in all sectors. It sets a benchmark of 35% affirmative action for women in political appointments and decision-making roles. However, actual representation remains far below this target.
Women’s political participation in Nigeria is among the lowest in Africa. By 2023, women held only 4.7% of seats in the National Assembly—far below the African average of 24% viz: South-West Nigeria has seen relatively higher female representation, with states like Lagos and Ekiti promoting gender-inclusive policies and appointing women to key cabinet positions. Women led businesses are also major growth drivers.
Northern Nigeria, particularly the North-West and North-East, lags significantly due to cultural and religious norms that restrict women’s public engagement. In some states, women are not represented in the legislature. South-East Nigeria has a strong tradition of female leadership at the community level (e.g. the “Omu” institution), but formal political and financial inclusions remain limited. Town unions, market women associations are strong contributors to national development.
Efforts such as the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill have faced repeated setbacks in the National Assembly, reflecting entrenched patriarchal resistance.
Economic empowerment is a cornerstone of gender inclusion. According to the 2020 Access to Financial Services in Nigeria survey, only 35% of Nigerian women had access to formal financial services compared to 51% of men. Key barriers include: Limited access to credit and land ownership,
low financial literacy, discriminatory inheritance laws, informal sector dominance.
Regional initiatives have shown promise: In Rivers and Akwa Ibom, there is remarkable growth in women-led cooperatives and agribusiness ventures.
North-Central states like Plateau and Benue have benefited from donor-funded programs targeting rural women’s access to microfinance.
Urban centers such as Abuja and Lagos have witnessed a surge in female entrepreneurship, supported by creative arts, fashion digital platforms and fintech innovations.
Despite these enhancements, women remain underrepresented in formal employment, especially in STEM fields and executive roles. Economic empowerment of women is critical to gender inclusion and societal egalitarianism.
Education and Health as Pillars of Empowerment: Education is a critical enabler of empowerment. While Nigeria has made progress in female enrollment at the primary level, dropout rates remain high, due to negative cultural practices, early marriage, poverty, and insecurity, particularly in conflict zones which contribute to low enrolment rates.
South-West and South-East regions record higher female literacy rates and school completion levels.
North-East Nigeria, affected by insurgency and displacement, has the lowest female education indicators.
These factors necessitate a re-think of learning to achieve more inclusivity of women. In health, maternal mortality remains quite high, with Nigeria accounting for nearly 20% of global maternal deaths. Access to reproductive health services is more pronounced. However, basic needs of sanitary towels for menstrual hygiene should be guaranteed in all government hospitals and educational institutions.
Social and Media Representation: Cultural norms play a dual role, both enabling and constraining women’s empowerment. In some communities, women hold influential roles in religious and traditional institutions. However, patriarchal values often limit women’s autonomy and reinforce gender stereotypes.
Media representation of women has improved, with more female voices in journalism, entertainment, and activism. Social activism like #BringBackOurGirls and #EndSARS have spotlighted women’s leadership in civic engagement.
Yet, gender-based violence remains profound. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, passed in 2015, has not been domesticated, leaving gaps in legal protection.
Women journalists should draw attention to women’s success stories, the landmarks and excellence. In real terms, the African Development Bank (ADB) estimates that whilst 10-12 million young people enter the African work force every year, only about three million jobs are created. Learning rethink is urgent as only 60%of African population is under 25 and skills can be integrated in their learning so they can start entrepreneurial activities whilst in school aiding in moving from corporate sphere to leadership.
Comparative Insights and Global Benchmarks – Compared to countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana, Nigeria lags in gender inclusion metrics. Rwanda, for instance, has over 60% female representation in parliament, driven by constitutional quotas and post-conflict reforms. South Africa’s gender budgeting and affirmative action policies have mainstreamed women’s participation across sectors.
China ranks 80th in terms of women’s representation in the Parliament down from 57th according to Gender Gap Report. As a conservative country, women are expected to put families before their careers.
Nigeria’s comparative disadvantage stems from weak institutional frameworks, limited political will, and socio-cultural resistance. However, its large youth population and vibrant civil society present opportunities for transformative change.
To advance women inclusion and empowerment in Nigeria, the following strategies are essential:
Constitutional Reform: Amend discriminatory provisions and pass the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill.
Political Quotas: Enforce the 35% affirmative action target through legal mandates.
Economic Access: Expand current women’s access to credit, land, and digital financial services.
Education Investment: Prioritize girls’ education, especially in conflict zones and rural areas.
Legal Protection: Ensure full domestication and enforcement of the VAPP Act nationwide.
Cultural Reorientation: Promote gender-sensitive curricula and media content to challenge stereotypes.
Better skills training to unlock Nigeria’s workforce potential. Dedicate tax policy to catalyse women skill development.
Federal and state governments allocate minimum of 20% of the commonwealth of lands to women.
Align constitutional provisions of non-discrimination on basis of gender. Female children are to share equally with male children. This accords with Supreme Court decisions on the matter of primogeniture.
The former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, once said ‘What we are learning around the world is that if women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish’. If women have a change of work and earn as full and equal pays in the society, their families will flourish. And when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish.
Women inclusion and empowerment in Nigeria remain a work in progress, marked by regional disparities, policy gaps, and cultural complexities. While strides have been made in education, entrepreneurship, and activism, systemic barriers continue to hinder full participation.
A comparative lens reveals both challenges and opportunities, highlighting the need for bold reforms, inclusive governance, and sustained advocacy. Empowering Nigerian women is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic pathway to national development, democratic resilience and a more civilized society.
Women must not wait to be empowered. They should empower themselves, train and educate themselves. Join political parties just as they join pious societies and obtain voters cards.
Okafor, SAN AIIN is a Professor of Property and Commercial Law
